Visakhapatnam city in global limelight with G-20 meet

Vijayawada: The Working Group of G-20 will meet in Visakhapatnam on March 28 and March 29. As the host, Andhra Pradesh government is making elaborate arrangements for the two-day confabulations, in which more than 300 national and international delegates from 40 countries are participating.

Special chief secretary Y. Srilakshmi reviewed the preparations being made in Visakhapatnam city and its environs for the global meeting.

Speaking to media later along with special chief secretary Rajat Bhargava, she disclosed that G-20 countries, such as Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, England, the USA and countries of the European Union with another 19 member countries will participate in the G-20 working group meeting at Visakhapatnam.

Srilakshmi explained that owing to presence of representatives from around 40 countries, steps are being taken to arrange three to four translators for teams from several countries. She said during the meeting, AP government will showcase its various innovative schemes and programmes, including village and ward secretariats, farmers' Rythu Bharosa Kendras, digital libraries, and Nadu-Nedu.

“Government will work hard to bring recognition to the beautiful city of Visakhapatnam at the national and international level,” the special chief secretary underlined.

She maintained that Covid protocols will be strictly followed during the course of the two-day meet.

Special CS Rajat Bhargava said G-20 working group meetings will be used to let the international dignitaries know AP’s potential in culture and tourism, especially in the surrounding areas of Visakhapatnam.

Information commissioner T. Vijayakumar Reddy said a special lounge will be set up for media interactions during the G-20 working group meetings. Information will be passed on to media in a timely manner through press conferences and meetings with G-20 representatives.

GVMC commissioner P. Rajababu, transport joint commissioner Venkateswara Rao, and state protocol director Subramanyam Reddy were present at the review meeting. Other higher officials participated through video conference.